Boulder, CO

On our way to Boulder from Custer, South Dakota, we stopped for a night in Fort Collins, CO. Our only reason for going there was to visit the Shambhala Mountain Center. This Tibetan Buddhist retreat center is located on 600 acres of pine forest and meadows in the mountains near Red Feather Lakes. It was founded in1970 by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

Central to Shambhala is the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. It contains relics of the Buddha, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and other great teachers, that are sealed into the 108 foot gilded structure. Countless mantras and fragments of sacred objects are held within the massive base and walls. Unlike most stupas, there is a meditation room inside the Stupa, complete with a 17 foot tall Buddha, and we were able to spend time there soaking in this sacred and peaceful energy.

In Boulder we set up camp at St. Vrain State Park. It was a lovely location on a pond but we had no internet access. The weather was fantastic and we spent time walking around downtown Boulder, visiting friends in the city and also in Evergreen, CO.

An old friend of mine took us on a spectacular hike into the mountains behind Boulder. We started at around 9,300 feet and hiked to the tree line at 10,500 feet. The views were astounding and we were amazed at how acclimated Bob and I are to higher elevations. We were hardly huffing and puffing.

Another highlight of this stop was a tour of the Celestial Seasonings tea factory. I have been drinking their tea for decades and it was great fun to see how it’s put together and do a tasting in their shop. If you’re ever in the Boulder area, put this on your must do list.